Replacement of mouse embryonic fibroblasts with bone marrow stromal cells for use in establishing and maintaining embryonic stem cells in mice

We have investigated the use of BMSC (bone marrow stromal cell) as a feeder cell for improving culture efficiency of ESC (embryonic stem cell). B6CBAF1 blastocysts or ESC stored after their establishment were seeded on to a feeder layer of either SCA-1+/CD45-/CD11b- BMSC or MEF (mouse embryonic fibroblast). Feeder cell activity in promoting ESC establishment from the blastocysts and in supporting ESC maintenance did not differ significantly between BMSC and MEF feeders. However, the highest efficiency of colony formation after culturing of inner cell mass cells of blastocysts was observed with the BMSC line that secreted the largest amount of LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor). Exogenous LIF was essential for the ESC establishment on BMSC feeder, but not for ESC maintenance. Neither change in stem cell-specific gene expression nor increase in stem cell aneuploidy was detected after the use of BMSC feeder. We conclude that BMSC can be utilized as the feeder of ESC, which improves culture efficiency.     

Differentiation of embryonic stem cells in adult bone marrow

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a potential source of generating transplantable hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which in turn can serve as "seed" cells for hematopoietic regeneration. In this study, we aimed to gauge the ability of mouse ESCs directly differentiating into hematopoietic cells in adult bone marrow (BM). To this end, we first derived a new mouse ESC line that constitutively expressed the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and then injected the ESCs into syngeneic BM via intra-tibia. The progeny of the transplanted ESCs were then analyzed at different time points after transplantation. Notably, however, most injected ESCs differentiated into non-hematopoietic cells in the BM whereas only a minority of the cells acquired hematopoietic cell surface markers. This study provides a strategy for evaluating the differentiation potential of ESCs in the BM micro-environment, thereby having important implications for the physiological maintenance and potential therapeutic applications of ESCs.     

Proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells under hypoxic conditions

Low oxygen tension is a potent differentiation inducer of numerous cell types and an effective stimulus of many gene expressions. Here, we described that under 8% O(2), bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) exhibited proliferative and morphologic changes. The level of differentiated antigen H-2Dd and the number of G(2)/S/M phase cells increased evidently under 8% O(2) condition. Also, the proportion of wide, flattened, and epithelial-like cells (which were alkaline phosphatase staining positive) in MSCs increased significantly. When cultured in adipogenic medium, there was a 5- to 6-fold increase in the number of lipid droplets under hypoxic conditions compared with that in normoxic culture. We also demonstrated the existence of MSC differentiation under hypoxic conditions by electron microscopy. Expression of Oct4 was inhibited under 8% O(2) condition, but after adipocyte differentiation in normoxic culture and hypoxia-mimicking agents cobalt chloride (CoCl(2)) and deferoxamine mesylate (DFX) treatments, Oct4 was still expressed in MSCs. These results indicate hypoxia accelerates MSC differentiation and hypoxia and hypoxia-mimicking agents exert different effects on MSC differentiation.     

In vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into inner ear hair cell-like cells using stromal cell conditioned medium

Hearing loss is mainly caused by loss of sensory hair cells (HCs) in the organ of Corti or cochlea. Although embryonic stem (ES) cells are a promising source for cell therapy, little is known about the efficient generation of HC-like cells from ES cells. In the present study, we developed a single-medium culture method for growing embryoid bodies (EBs), in which conditioned medium (CM) from cultures of ST2 stromal cells (ST2-CM) was used for 14-day cultures of 4-day EBs. At the end of the 14-day cultures, up to 20% of the cells in EB outgrowths expressed HC-related markers, including Math1 (also known as Atoh1), myosin6, myosin7a, calretinin, α9AchR and Brn3c (also known as Pou4f3), and also showed formation of stereocilia-like structures. Further, we found that these cells were incorporated into the developing inner ear after transplantation into chick embryos. The present inner ear HC induction method using ST2-CM (HIST2 method) is quite simple and highly efficient to obtain ES-derived HC-like cells with a relatively short cultivation time.     

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into insulin-producing cells upon microenvironmental manipulation in vitro

It was recently reported that pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in rodent bone marrow (BM) have the capacity to generate insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. However, little is known about this capacity in human BM-MSCs. We developed a nongenetic method to induce human BM-MSCs to transdifferentiate into IPCs both phenotypically and functionally. BM-MSCs from 12 human donors were sequentially cultured in specially defined conditions. Their differentiation extent toward β-cell phenotype was evaluated systemically. Specifically, after induction human BM-MSCs formed spheroid islet-like clusters containing IPCs, which was further confirmed by dithizone (DTZ) staining and electron microscopy. These IPCs expressed multiple genes related to the development or function of pancreatic β cells (including NKX6.1, ISL-1, Beta2/Neurod, Glut2, Pax6, nestin, PDX-1, ngn3, insulin and glucagon). The coexpression of insulin and c-peptide was observed in IPCs by immunofluorescence. Moreover, they were able to release insulin in a glucose-dependent manner and ameliorate the diabetic conditions of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated nude mice. These results indicate that human BM-MSCs might be an available candidate to overcome limitations of islet transplantation.     

骨髓基质干细胞的分离纯化及培养

目的 建立骨髓基质干细胞(MSCs)良好的分离纯化和培养方法。方法 将小鼠骨髓基质干细胞自殷骨中分离,应用贴壁选择法结合细胞克隆挑选法进行分离纯化,应用细胞生长因子(EGF和PDGF-BB)刺激法进行MSCs的体外培养和传代,倒置显微镜下观察分离培养的细胞并照像记录。结果,培养获得了纯化的呈梭形成纤雏样细胞的骨髓基质干细胞。在生长因子EGF和PDGF-BB的共同作用下,传代MSCs生长旺盛,形态均一。结论 该方法是简便高效的骨髓基质干细胞的分离纯化和培养方法。     

A novel in vitro retinal differentiation model by co-culturing adult human bone marrow stem cells with retinal pigmented epithelium cells

Human retinal pigment epithelium (HRPE) cells are important in maintaining the normal physiology within the neurosensory retina and photoreceptors. Recently, transplantation of HRPE has become a possible therapeutic approach for retinal degeneration. By negative immunoselection (CD45 and glycophorin A), in this study, we have isolated and cultivated adult human bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) with multilineage differentiation potential. After a 2- to 4-week culture under chondrogenic, osteogenic, adipogenic, and hepatogenic induction medium, these BMSCs were found to differentiate into cartilage, bone, adipocyte, and hepatocyte-like cells, respectively. We also showed that these BMSCs could differentiate into neural precursor cells (nestin-positive) and mature neurons (MAP-2 and Tuj1-positive) following treatment of neural selection and induction medium for 1 month. Furthermore, the plasticity of BMSCs was confirmed by initiating their differentiation into retinal cells and photoreceptor lineages by co-culturing with HRPE cells. The latter system provides an ex vivo expansion model of culturing photoreceptors for the treatment of retinal degeneration diseases.     

In vitro neuronal differentiation of cultured human embryonic germ cells

Human embryonic germ (hEG) cells, which have been advanced as one of the most important sources of pluripotent stem cells [the other one being human embryonic stem cells], can be propagated in vitro indefinitely in the primitive undifferentiated state while being capable of developing into all three germ layer derivatives, hence have become anticipated developing novel strategies of tissue regeneration and transplantation in the treatment of degenerative diseases. In the experiments here, we derived hEG cells from cultured human primordial germ cells (PGCs) of 6- to 9-week-post-fertilization embryos. They satisfied the criteria previously used to define hEG cells, including the expression of markers characteristic of pluripotent cells-abundant alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, stage specific embryonic antigen (SSEA)-1(+), SSEA-3(-), SSEA-4(+), TRA-1-60(+), TRA-1-81(+), Oct-4(+), and hTERT(+), the retention of normal karyotypes, and possessing pluripotency by forming embryoid bodies (EBs) in vitro. Furthermore, these derived cells tended to neurally differentiate in vitro, especially under high-density culture conditions. We successfully isolated neural progenitor cells from differentiating hEG cultures and about 10% cells induced by 2microM all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) or 0.1mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP)/1mM forskolin to mature neurons expressing microtubule-associated protein 2ab (MAP2ab), synaptophysin, beta-tubulin III, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), but no glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT). The data suggested that hEG cells may provide a potential source of cells for use in transplantation therapy for neurological degenerative diseases.     

Inflammatory T cells rapidly induce differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells into mature osteoblasts

Activated T cells secrete multiple osteoclastogenic cytokines which play a major role in the bone destruction associated with rheumatoid arthritis. While the role of T cells in osteoclastogenesis has received much attention recently, the effect of T cells on osteoblast formation and activity is poorly defined. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that in chronic inflammation activated T cells contribute to enhanced bone turnover by promoting osteoblastic differentiation. We show that T cells produce soluble factors that induce alkaline phosphatase activity in bone marrow stromal cells and elevated expression of mRNA for Runx2 and osteocalcin. This data indicate that T cell derived factors have the capacity to stimulate the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into the osteoblast phenotype. RANKL mRNA was undetectable under any conditions in highly purified bone marrow stromal cells. In contrast, RANKL was constitutively expressed in primary osteoblasts and only moderately up-regulated by activated T cell conditioned medium. Interestingly, both bone marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts expressed mRNA for RANK, which was strongly up-regulated in both cell types by activated T cell conditioned medium. Although, mRNA for the RANKL decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin, was also up-regulated by activated T cell conditioned medium, it's inhibitory effects may be mitigated by a simultaneous rise in the osteoprotegerin competitor TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Based on our data we propose that during chronic inflammation, T cells regulate bone loss by a dual mechanism involving both direct stimulation of osteoclastogenesis, by production of osteoclastogenic cytokines, and indirectly by induction of osteoblast differentiation and up-regulation of bone turnover via coupling.     

Pancreatic exocrine enzyme-producing cell differentiation via embryoid bodies from human embryonic stem cells

Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be induced to form pancreatic exocrine enzyme-producing cells in vitro in a stepwise fashion that recapitulates the development in vivo. However, there is no protocol for the differentiation of pancreatic-like cells from human ESCs (hESCs). Based upon the mouse ESC model, we have induced the in vitro formation of pancreatic exocrine enzyme-producing cells from hESCs. The protocol took place in four stages. In Stage 1, embryoid bodies (EBs) were formed from dissociated hESCs and then treated with the growth factor activin A, which promoted the expression of Foxa2 and Sox17 mRNAs, markers of definitive endoderm. In Stage 2, the cells were treated with all-trans retinoic acid which promoted the transition to cells that expressed gut tube endoderm mRNA marker HNF1b. In Stage 3, the cells were treated with fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), which induced expression of Pdx1 typical of pancreatic progenitor cells. In Stage 4, treatment with FGF7, glucagon-like peptide 1, and nicotinamide induced the expression amylase (AMY) mRNA, a marker for mature pancreatic exocrine cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed the expression of AMY protein at the edges of cell clusters. These cells also expressed other exocrine secretory proteins including elastase, carboxypeptidase A, chymotrypsin, and pancreatic lipase in culture. Production of these hESC-derived pancreatic enzyme-producing cells represents a critical step in the study of pancreatic organogenesis and in the development of a renewable source of human pancreatic-like exocrine cells.     

Adenovirus-mediated BMP2 expression in human bone marrow stromal cells

Recombinant adenoviral vectors have been shown to be potential new tools for a variety of musculoskeletal defects. Much emphasis in the field of orthopedic research has been placed on developing systems for the production of bone. This study aims to determine the necessary conditions for sustained production of high levels of active bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) using a recombinant adenovirus type 5 (Ad5BMP2) capable of eliciting BMP2 synthesis upon infection and to evaluate the consequences for osteoprogenitor cells. The results indicate that high levels (144 ng/ml) of BMP2 can be produced in non-osteoprogenitor cells (A549 cell line) by this method and the resultant protein appears to be three times more biologically active than the recombinant protein. Surprisingly, similar levels of BMP2 expression could not be achieved after transduction with Ad5BMP2 of either human bone marrow stromal cells or the mouse bone marrow stromal cell line W20-17. However, human bone marrow stromal cells cultured with 1 microM dexamethasone for four days, or further stimulated to become osteoblast-like cells with 50 microg/ml ascorbic acid, produced high levels of BMP2 upon Ad5BMP2 infection as compared to the undifferentiated cells. The increased production of BMP2 in adenovirus transduced cells following exposure to 1 microM dexamethasone was reduced if the cells were not given 50 microg/ml ascorbic acid. When bone marrow stromal cells were allowed to become confluent in culture prior to differentiation, BMP2 production in response to Ad5BMP2 infection was lost entirely. Furthermore, the increase in BMP2 synthesis seen during differentiation was greatly decreased when Ad5BMP2 was administered prior to dexamethasone treatment. In short, the efficiency of adenovirus mediated expression of BMP2 in bone marrow stromal cells appears to be dependent on the differentiation state of these cells.     

人骨髓基质细胞向成骨细胞分化过程中差异表达基因的筛选

为了探讨人骨髓基质细胞（bone marrow stromal cells,BMSCs）向成骨细胞分化过程中差异表达的基因,本实验采用体外培养人BMSCs,诱导向成骨细胞分化。分别选取培养12和21d的细胞作为驱动方（driver）和实验方（tester）,进行抑制消减杂交,构建cDNA消减文库,将挑选出的阳性克隆与GenBank人基因库中己公布的核酸序列进行同源性比较分析。结果表明,从培养21d的BMSCs中,筛查出5个差异基因,与人基因库中己知基因的同源性分别达到90％以上。有兴趣的是,核心蛋白聚糖和Bax inhibitorl在培养2ld的BMSCs中差异表达。RT-PCR检测显示,核心蛋白聚糖基因在培养21d的细胞中高表达,而在12d的细胞中未检测到表达;Bax inhibitorl基因在培养21d细胞中的表达明显高于12d的细胞。     

人胚胎干细胞的体外定向分化

人胚胎干细胞（human embryonic stem cells,hESCs）由囊胚期胚胎内细胞团分离培养获得,具有保持未分化状态的无限增殖能力。hESCs具有多向分化潜能,在体内和体外均可分化形成所有三个胚层（外胚层、中胚层、内胚层）的衍生物。hESCs一般在鼠胚胎成纤维细胞（mouse embryonic fibroblast,MEF）饲养层上培养和扩增。为了优化培养条件,目前人们已发展了多种人类细胞饲养层和无饲养层、非条件培养基体系。hESCs可以在体外定向诱导分化为多种细胞类型,为揭示人胚早期发育机制和发展多种疾病的细胞移植治疗奠定了基础。hESCs可以在体外进行遗传修饰,将有助于揭示特定基因在发育过程中的调控和功能。对hESCs的深入研究将极大地推动医学和生命科学的进展,并将最终应用于临床,造福人类。     

Human adipose stromal cells expanded in human serum promote engraftment of human peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells in NOD/SCID mice

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), that have been reported to be present in bone marrow, adipose tissues, dermis, muscles, and peripheral blood, have the potential to differentiate along different lineages including those forming bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and neuron. Therefore, hMSC are attractive candidates for cell and gene therapy. The optimal conditions for hMSC expansion require medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). Some forms of cell therapy will involve multiple doses, raising a concern over immunological reactions caused by medium-derived FBS proteins. In this study, we cultured human adipose stromal cells (hADSC) and bone marrow stroma cells (HBMSC) in human serum (HS) during their isolation and expansion, and demonstrated that they maintain their proliferative capacity and ability for multilineage differentiation and promote engraftment of peripheral blood-derived CD34(+) cells mobilized from bone marrow in NOD/SCID mice. Our results indicate that hADSC and hBMSC cultured in HS can be used for clinical trials of cell and gene therapies, including promotion of engraftment after allogeneic HSC transplantation.     

Hemato-endothelial differentiation from lentiviral-transduced human embryonic stem cells retains durable reporter gene expression under the control of ubiquitin promoter

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells are able to give rise to a variety of cell lineages under specific culture condition. An effective strategy for stable genetic modification in hES cells may provide a powerful tool for study of human embryogenesis and cell-based therapies. However, gene silences are documented in hES cells. In current study, we investigated whether genes controlled under ubiquitin promoter are expressed during hematopoietic-endothelial differentiation in hES cells. Undifferentiated hES cells (H1) were transduced by lentivirus encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene under ubiquitin promoter. GFP-expressing hES cells (GFP-H1) were established after several rounds of mechanical selection under fluorescence microscope. GFP gene was stably expressed in hES cells throughout prolonged (> 50 passages) cultivation, and in differentiated embryo body (EB) and teratoma. Hematopoietic and endothelial markers, including KDR (VEGFR2), CD34, CD31, Tie-2, GATA-1 and GATA-2, were expressed at similar levels during hES cell differentiation in parent hES cells and GFP-H1 hES cells. CD34⁺ cells isolated from GFP-H1 hES cells were capable to generate hematopoietic colony-forming cells and tubular structure-forming cells. Differentiated GFP-EB formed vasculature structures in a semi-solid sprouting EB model. These results indicated that a transgene under ubiquitin promoter in lentiviral transduced hES cells retained its expression in undifferentiated hES cells and in hES-derived hematopoietic and endothelial cells. With the view of embryonic mesodermal developing events in humans, genetic modification of hES cells by lentiviral vectors provides a powerful tool for study of hematopoiesis and vasculogenesis.